REVIEW ARTICLE Executive Summary: Guidelines for the Prevention of Infections Associated With Combat-Related Injuries: 2011 Update Endorsed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Surgical Infection Society

Abstract: Despite advances in resuscitation and surgical management of com-bat wounds, infection r~mains a conceming and potentially prcvenr.able compli-cation of combat-related injuries. Interventions currently u~ed to prevent these infect ions have not been either clearly defin<Xl or subjected to rigorous clinical trials. Current infection prevention mcasure.s and wound management practices are deriwd from rdrospcclive review of wartime experiences, from civilian trauma data. and Ji·om in Vitro and animal data. This update to the guidelines published in 2008 incorporates evidence that has become available since 2007. These guiddines focus on can: provided within hours to days of injury, chiefly within the combat zone, ll ' those combat-injured patients with open wounds or bums. New in this UJXhle arc a consolidation of antimicrobial agent recommenda-tions to a lmckhone of high-dose celivx,Jin with or without meh·onidamle fr;r most Submincd for publtcati<m April 26, 20 l L Accepted lbr publication June 3. 2011